Bird photos without a kit lens

[djambalawa]

I'm lucky enough to own the Nikon 200-400vr... which I use with a 1.4 teleconverter sometimes...

Here's a few of my favourite bird shots.. anyone else using a big bazooka lense?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1080.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1081.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1082.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1083.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1084.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1085.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1086.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1087.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1088.jpg

[djambalawa]

Thanks NM - yeah those pro lenses really can make you look good! They really are a step up in quality and give you the ability to capture what you couldn't before (with the reach, extremely quick focus, amount of light they let in etc)

I really splurged when I bought mine.. I got a pay out from a company I worked for... although my wife reminds me still it could have been spent on more important things! :eek: The lense was about $6000 which was a really good deal from the States at the time.. had a good exchange rate etc.. and somehow it got into the country without me having to pay import duty which I was expecting to pay.. dunno how... I didnt complain though.. :angel:

[werdan]

Great shots!


If people are sick of their kit lens, they could get one of these..

Hands on with the Canon EF 1200 f/5.6L Lens|Outdoor Photo Gear (http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/blog/hands-on-with-the-canon-ef-1200-f5-6l-lens-296)

[Chucaro]

Very nice captures, the 200-400 is an awesome lens and perform very well with the X 1.7 teleconverter

[djambalawa]

lol @ werdan! mate... if you could order me a couple and I could pay you back later? That'd be great thanks... :cool:

yes rather serious.. wonder if it has a nikon mount available :D with my D300 it would be an effective 1800mm.. :eek:

[Chucaro]

lol @ werdan! mate... if you could order me a couple and I could pay you back later? That'd be great thanks... :cool:

yes rather serious.. wonder if it has a nikon mount available :D with my D300 it would be an effective 1800mm.. :eek:

remember that the equal to 1800mm is regarding the frame but not the magnification :)

[djambalawa]

yeah i've seen some beaut flamewars about crop factors on various forums :D

I for one subscribe to the following (obviously biased coz I use a D300 :angel:);

The physical lens focal length never changes obviously... a 200mm lens is always that... but because my D300 has a smaller sensor (as compared to 35mm film) I get an effective magnification because of the smaller frame. But I disagree when Full Frame advocates claim that this is just the same a cropping the picture - as my camera is still using its full sensor just the way it was designed to! 35mm equivalence really has nothing to do with it... unless I was cropping out pixels on my sensor which I am not! :)

Sure you can argue the pixels from FF are better quality etc (they are in low light at least) but my very capable D300 is not running in any less than optimum mode than at its best when I am getting 600mm from my 400mm lens...

[Chucaro]

I have the D200 so I agree with you ;)
Perhaps we can say that a camera like the d200/300 are better for wild life, birds and flora because the subject fill the frame more than in the case of a full frame camera using the same lens.
For landscaping using a wide angle lens like my Tokina 12-24 I would love to have a D3 :D

By the way, regarding the 200-400 i have a friend that use this lens on a D2Hs and his photos are awesome.
He just got the 600mm f/4, have a look his report HERE

Cheers

[djambalawa]

Mate I can't argue with you there :)

Yeah for a serious bird photographer etc you couldnt beat the 600mm... as well as the extra cost I just couldn't justify not going for the versatility of the zoom when spending that much... but I'd love to have one if I could!

I have the Tokina 12-24 too - great little lense - and yeah it would be nice to have a D3 or that new extra high rez one - D3X or something I think? Lotsa dosh tho :)

[Chucaro]

The Nikon 600 with the X2 teleconverter cost more than my Defender :(

[dullbird]

wonderful pics....

The more I see of these pictures the more I want to take bird photo's more than anything.

I wish I could buy half decent lenses :(

[Chucaro]

wonderful pics....

The more I see of these pictures the more I want to take bird photo's more than anything.

I wish I could buy half decent lenses :(

Get the 300mm f/4 which is very good with a 1.4 converter.
You can get them used in USA for U$A 700 up or new as well Nikon | Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D ED-IF Autofocus | 1909 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207356-USA/Nikon_1909_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_300mm.html) is the info

HERE (http://www.mansurovs.com/2009/02/09/nikon-300mm-f4-lens-review) is a very good review with photos.
Even if you cannot afford it now keep it in mind and do not go for a zoom lens.
Only the 200-400 come close at $ 7000 +

[dullbird]

wow that is very reasonably priced....thanks for pointing that out chucaro:)

[Chucaro]

wow that is very reasonably priced....thanks for pointing that out chucaro:)

You are lucky, you are in NSW!
If you like camping and photograhy and specially like to get involved into bird photography plan a trip to the Capertee Valley an awesome place with heaps of options for camping and photography from birds to flowers
Here (http://www.bmbirding.com.au/valley.html) is some information about the place

I use to be a founder member of an Australia bird forum where there are very talented people and many of them know the valley and where to stay.

Gerard Satherley is one of them, he used to have a D200 and a 300 f/4 and he know his gear
Now I belive that he have a D300 and also a 500mm f/4 lens as well
He can help you regarding bird photography and also talk with you about Nikon gear and how to start.
His site is HERE (http://www.gerardsatherleyphotography.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1)

Bird photography is very addictive :D and soon after you get involved in a forum and know what it is "expected" in an image you will be full on with the Puma exploring places :D

Send me a Pm any time if I can help in any way

Cheers

[matbor]

I had a 300mm F4 for a few months on loan,

Amazingly sharp lens.

Flickr: Search Matthew Bordignon's photostream (http://www.flickr.com/search/'ss=2&mt=all&adv=1&w=25017556%40N07&q=werribee&m=text)

Flickr: Search Matthew Bordignon's photostream (http://www.flickr.com/search/'ss=2&mt=all&adv=1&w=25017556%40N07&q=cockatoo&m=text)

Matt.

[Chucaro]

Good shots

The 300 f/4 is very good for close up shots like semi macro. Try it and you will be very pleased.
Can you get a x1.4 converter? you will see that the images @ 420mm are excellent as well.
Cheers

[DFNDR90]

I'll vouch for the 300mm f4 being a good lens. Usually dont see many of them for sale second hand here in Aus...

Sold mine in good condition a few months ago for $900 after upgrading to a 400.

Oh yeah, nice photo's! :)

[matbor]

Good shots

The 300 f/4 is very good for close up shots like semi macro. Try it and you will be very pleased.
Can you get a x1.4 converter? you will see that the images @ 420mm are excellent as well.
Cheers

Thx.

Yeah didn't get a chance to use the tele-converter, the lens has since gone back :(, he said he might upgrade to the f2.8 or the 200-400 f2.8 just depends. So might get it then.

Matt.

[PSi]

18-200 VR, a tame hornbill that's not wary of people, at a bird park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/838.jpg

[PSi]

Another shot that shows clearly, contrary to what that huge bill might suggest, that the hornbill has good forward binocular vision ...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/837.jpg

[Chucaro]

It would be nice to be there when the natural light is not too harsh

[dullbird]

Just took these today while I was out trying to get pics for the spring comp I didn't think they really expressed spring so didn't enter them and thought I would put them in here

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/1647.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/1648.jpg

Cheeky minor:)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/1649.jpg

And this is the same pic just cropped up and a few tweeks

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/1650.jpg

[Chucaro]

They all are very nice, the whites are exposed very well in the first 2 and the last have a fantastic pose.

[Chucaro]

Today @ the front garden with flash late in the afternoon

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/1636.jpg

[dullbird]

Taken today.....couldn't decide which one to put in the comp out of the two so put one in there and the other in here

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/1585.jpg

[dullbird]

couple more but these were taken last year

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1487.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1489.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1491.jpg